TYPES OF SAMPLES IDENTIFIED:
It is essentially impossible to list the different types of foreign
objects that we can identify and analyze. A partial list
includes glass, plastic, hair, bone fragments, blood, saliva, mold, insects,
rodents, and virtually any foreign object or material that is
found in food!
We DO NOT accept samples with an odd taste, smell,
flavor, odor, etc. We DO NOT have the capability to test for
blood-borne pathogens (hepatitis, HIV, etc.).
NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING:
Most objective biological, chemical and physical testing is
destructive. Things have to be sampled, dried, ground up,
weighed, dissolved, digested, absorbed, etc. to obtain the best
scientific answer. However, microscopy can characterize and
define at the cellular and sub-cellular levels without
obvious destruction. The analytical methods and techniques
used are essentially non-destructive for micro-analyses of legal and
problematic food and related samples. Thus there are few to no
adverse effects on samples when only a tiny fragment or sliver is
required for analysis. Our methods leave approximately 95% or
more of a sample intact for additional testing or when required as
an exhibit in the courtroom. We have specialized in these
non-destructive microscopic methods and have, by necessity,
developed and continue to develop new ways to examine samples
without damaging them. We obviously could not destroy a sample
that might be evidence or that was needed for subsequent examination
and verification by others. Understand that it may be
necessary to remove a tiny fragment of the sample object for examination,
but generally less than a fraction of 1% of the entire sample is
used for each test.
In most cases we are able to examine and run biochemical reactions
on the surfaces of the samples without changing the sample in any
significant way, however a trace of discoloration may remain on the
surface.
AFFILIATIONS:
We remain a completely independent laboratory and
technical center with no long-term contract with any other
organizations, except for client confidentiality. We accept a
wide range of samples from restaurants, from food processors and
manufacturers, as well as from other laboratories and insurance
companies. Each sample is accepted and tested as an
independent event.
We are proud of our thoughtful and exacting
examinations and treat each sample with the utmost care and maintain
tight security around both samples and results. We think you
will find the manner in which we handle and examine samples to be
exemplary.
For more information, contact us at
ALTECA Ltd., 731 McCall Road
Manhattan, KS 66502, U.S.A.
TEL: (785) 537-9773, FAX: (785) 537-1800
Click here to send an E-mail
OR see our SAMPLE SUBMIT FORM,
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING A
SAMPLE,
CHAIN OF CUSTODY INFORMATION,
and our SAMPLE STORAGE POLICY
Link to Feed Microscopy Page
